Playing field obstacle device

Abstract

An obstacle device for use on a playing field is formed from an elongate support member. A frame member in the form of a resilient, flexible hoop is coupled to the support member. The frame member has an expanded configuration that defines an expanded frame area. The frame member is resiliently deformable to a collapsed configuration that defines a collapsed frame area that is less than the expanded frame area. A layer of fabric material is attached to the frame member so that the fabric material is spread by the frame when the frame is in the expanded configuration.

1. An obstacle device for use on a playing field, the device comprising:
 an elongate support member;  
 a frame member in the form of a resilient, flexible hoop coupled to the support member, the frame member having an expanded configuration that defines an expanded frame area, the frame member being resiliently deformable to a collapsed configuration that defines a collapsed frame area that is less than the expanded fame area;  
 a head piece coupled to the support member, the head piece and the expanded frame member approximating in shape the front profile of a human head and torso; and  
 a layer of fabric material attached to the frame member so that the fabric material is spread by the frame when the frame is in the expanded configuration.  
 
   
   
     2. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base having a stake member for staking into the ground or support media of the playing field, the support member coupling to the base, whereby the support member is held by the base in a generally upright manner.  
 
   
   
     3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support member is formed into two sections that releasably engage one another.  
 
   
   
     4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the head piece is removably coupled to the support member.  
 
   
   
     5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the head piece includes a neck in the form of a tubular member and wherein the support member includes a tubular member, ad wherein one of the tubular members of the head piece and support member is inserted into the other when the head piece is coupled to the support member.  
 
   
   
     6. An obstacle device for use on a playing field comprising:
 a base;  
 an elongate support member formed in two sections that releasably engage one another, the support member coupling to the base, whereby the support member is held in a generally upright manner when so coupled;  
 a frame member in the form of a resilient, flexible hoop removably coupled to the support member, the frame member having an expanded configuration that defines an expanded frame area, the frame member being resiliently deformable to a collapsed configuration that defines a collapsed frame area that is less than the expanded frame area;  
 a head piece coupled to the support member, wherein the head piece and the expanded frame member approximate in shape the front profile of a human head and torso; and  
 a layer of fabric material attached to the frame member so that the fabric material is spread by the frame when the frame is in the expanded configuration.  
 
   
   
     7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the two sections of the support member are tubular members wherein one tubular member is inserted into the other when the tubular members are engaged, and wherein the support member further includes a detent for releasably locking the tubular members together.  
 
   
   
     8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the tubular members are telescoping tubular members that are movable between retracted and extended positions, and wherein a substantial portion of one of the tubular members is received within the other tubular member when in the retracted position.  
 
   
   
     9. The device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the layer of fabric includes a head-piece portion that covers the head piece.  
 
   
   
     10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the head-piece portion includes a pocket for receiving the head piece.  
 
   
   
     11. The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the pocket is configured to receive the frame member when in the collapsed configuration.  
 
   
   
     12. The device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the head piece has a neck that engages one of the two sections of the support member.  
 
   
   
     13. The device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the head piece has a neck in the form of a tubular member with one of the tubular members of the head piece and one of the two tubular section inserting into the other when the head piece is coupled to the support member.  
 
   
   
     14. The device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the base includes a stake member for staking into the ground or support media of the playing field.  
 
   
   
     15. An obstacle device for use on a playing field comprising:
 an elongate support member formed in two tubular sections with one section inserting into the other, the support member having a detent for releasably locking the tubular sections together;  
 a base having a stake member for staking into the ground or support media of the playing field, the support member coupling to the base, whereby the support member is held in a generally upright manner;  
 a frame member in the form of a resilient, flexible hoop removably coupled to the support member, the frame member having an expanded configuration that defines an expanded frame area, the frame member being resiliently deformable to a collapsed configuration that defines a collapsed frame area that is less than the expanded frame area;  
 a head piece coupled to the support member, wherein the head piece and the expanded frame member approximate in shape the front profile of a human head and torso; and  
 a layer of fabric material attached to the frame member so that the fabric material is spread by the frame when the frame is in the expanded configuration, the layer of fabric having a head-piece portion that covers the head piece.  
 
   
   
     16. The device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the head-piece includes a pocket for receiving the head piece; and wherein the pocket is configured to receive the frame member when in the collapsed configuration.